The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in a Week 1 college football game on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.
The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. MST and can be seen on Pac-12 Networks.
ASU holds 1-0 advantage in the all-time series, having beat Southern Utah 41-14 in 2021.
Arizona State is coming off a 3-9 season and has a new coach in Kenny Dillingham.
Southern Utah went 5-6 in 2022.
A lot of eyes are bound to be on ASU freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada, who won the QB job in camp and has a lot of big-play ability.
Follow our live game updates for news, analysis and the score from the game at the site formerly known as Sun Devil Stadium.
This game turned in ASU’s favor at the end of the first half.
After ASU scored on a 47-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-8, the Sun Devils held Southern Utah to five plays on their next drive.
Then Arizona State’s offense added to their lead with some explosive plays.
First, Jaden Rashada threw a short pass to Jalin Conyers, who took off for 43 yards.
Then, Cameron Skattebo ran for 12 yards.
A play later, Rashada completed an 11-yard pass to Xavier Guillory.
After a roughing the passer penalty on Southern Utah a couple of plays later, Rashada connected with Troy Omeire on a 3-yard touchdown pass to give ASU a 21-7 lead with two seconds to go in the first half.
Score: Arizona State 21, Southern Utah 7
The Sun Devils had a fourth-and-8 from near midfield and Kenny Dillingham elected to go for it.
It paid off with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Jaden Rashada to Xavier Guillory to give ASU a 14-7 lead.
ASU needed that.
People have raved about Rashada’s big play ability and that was a big play. It was also the first touchdown pass of Rashada’s career. On Rashada’s 20th birthday, too.
Score: Arizona State 14, Southern Utah 7 (5:32 left in first half)
Southern Utah just gained four yards on three plays, being forced to punt against the Sun Devils.
There is just over eight minutes left in the first half.
Can ASU’s offense get back on track on its next possession?
Arizona State goes 3-and-out vs. Southern Utah
ASU did not get the drive it needed on its next possession.
In fact, the Sun Devils went 3-and-out to give Southern Utah the ball back with 9:50 left in the first half.
After an impressive first series on offense, the Sun Devils have struggled.
Southern Utah now has a 91-76 advantage in total yards.
Jaden Rashada is now 4-for-7 for 49 yards in the game. He was 3-for-3 for 44 yards on ASU’s opening possession.
Southern Utah has tied the game with ASU after an 11-play, 62 yards drive that took 6:43.
Targhee Lambson rushed in from 1-yard out for the touchdown.
On the drive, backup QB Grady Robison completed a 16-yard pass to starting QB Justin Miller to help set up the score.
ASU’s defense has to be tired: Southern Utah has had the ball for 15:08.
The Sun Devils’ offense could use a good drive to give them some rest.
Score: Arizona State 7, Southern Utah 7 (11:05 left in first half)
The Sun Devils hold a 7-0 lead on the Thunderbirds at the end of the first quarter.
ASU leads in total yards 72-54, but has only run 10 plays compared to Southern Utah’s 16.
Southern Utah holds a huge advantage in time of possession: 11:13-3:47.
But the only stat that really matters is the scoreboard, where ASU has the only points in the game.
Score: Arizona State 7, Southern Utah 0 (end of first quarter)
ASU’s Clayton Smith disqualified from game for targeting
Arizona State defender Clayton Smith was assessed a personal foul for targeting against Southern Utah QB Justin Miller, which results in him being disqualified for the rest of the game.
Smith hurried Miller on a play, and hit Miller in the chest while leading with his helmet, resulting in the 15-yard penalty and disqualification for the rest of the game.
The disqualification leaves ASU even thinner on a defensive line that was already dealing with injuries.
Sun Devils forced to punt vs. Southern Utah
Arizona State had to punt on its second possession of the game after gaining one first down.
Jaden Rashada had a couple of incomplete passes on the drive, throwing too far ahead of DeCarlos Brooks on one, with Southern Utah breaking up a pass to Jalin Conyers on another.
It may be Southern Utah, but ASU will take its defensive start against the Thunderbirds, especially after an abysmal season on defense last season.
The Sun Devils have held Southern Utah to 31 total yards and two first downs on two possessions.
They are consistently putting pressure on Southern Utah QB Justin Miller. Southern Utah is averaging 2.6 yards per play.
There is 4:36 left in the first quarter.
Well, that was impressive.
Arizona State’s offense wasted no time scoring its first touchdown of the season, marching 68 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead on Southern Utah.
The big blow was a 33-yard pass from Jaden Rashada to Melquan Stovall, which became even bigger when Southern Utah was called for roughing the passer.
Cameron Skattebo rushed for a 6-yard touchdown. He had two carries for 18 yards on the drive.
Rashada went 3-for-3 passing for 44 yards on his first Arizona State drive.
Score: Arizona State 7, Southern Utah 0 (9:00 left in first quarter)
ASU defense forces punt on first possession vs. Southern Utah
The Sun Devils’ defense allowed one first down against Southern Utah, but was able to stop the Thunderbirds on their next set of downs to force a punt with 10:59 left in the first quarter.
Southern Utah gained 15 yards on the drive, only two on the ground.
It is now Jaden Rashada and the ASU offense’s turn on Rashada’s 20th birthday.
Arizona State injury update vs. Southern Utah
Arizona State will be missing several players for injury, including WTR Jordan Tyson, QB Drew Pyne, DB Montana Warren, DL C.J. Fite, OL Ben Coleman, DL Anthonie Cooper.
It’s a big hit on the defensive line, where this is not a lot of depth to begin with.
Also, LB Will Shaffer and WR Elijhah Badger will not play in the first half of the game after receiving personal fouls and being ejected in the second half of ASU’s final game last season.
Thursday’s game against Southern Utah marks ASU freshman QB Jaden Rashada’s college debut, and first start.
It is also his birthday.
The highly touted quarterback won the job over Trenton Bourguet in camp. He has big-play capability and a strong arm.
And a lot of eyes will be watching how he fares in the opener.
Will Rashada have a lot to celebrate Thursday night?
How angry are Arizona State fans with ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson?
Evidently angry enough to purchase mobile billboards with a message to fire him.
The billboards, with messages “#FireRayAnderson” and “Only you can save ASU athletics” have a link to a website behind a campaign for the ouster of Anderson, FireRayAnderson.com.
The game can be seen at 7 p.m. MST time on Pac-12 Networks.
Pac-12 Networks is available via Sling TV, Cox, Dish, FuboTV, Vidgo, Dish, and other providers.
Click here for a list of all the TV providers that carry Pac-12 Networks.
Going to the game?
While fans are no doubt excited for a new era of Sun Devil football under head coach Kenny Dillingham, with a revamped roster and freshman starting quarterback Jaden Rashada, you have to get to the stadium first, which presents some challenges.
This guide will help you navigate parking, tailgating and entering the stadium, formerly known as Sun Devil Stadium, for the ASU football season opener.
Want to go see the Arizona State football team’s season opener against Southern Utah on Thursday night?
Tickets for the Week 1 college football game at Mountain America Stadium are going for less than $10.
Yes, less than $10.
Ticketmaster had a lot of upper-deck tickets for the 7 p.m. game going for under $10 as of early Wednesday afternoon, with some as low as $6.99, including fees.
Most (but not all) sites are predicting that the Sun Devils will beat the Thunderbirds in Thursday’s game.
The Arizona Republic’s Michelle Gardner previewed and predicted the outcome of the game in her Arizona State vs. Southern Utah scouting report.
The Sun Devils are going with Maroon and gold for their Week 1 uniform vs. Southern Utah.
You can’t go wrong with that. Fans are also encouraged to wear gold to the game.
The Sun Devils’ depth chart for their Week 1 college football game begins with freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada, which is fitting.
The highly touted QB has a lot of hype around him and has a lot of big-play ability. How many big plays will we see from him in his college debut on Thursday night?
Say goodbye to Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona State fans.
And say hello to Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils.
Earlier this month, Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics announced a multi-year naming rights partnership with Mountain America Credit Union.
The school announced that the 15-year partnership with Sun Devil Athletics included a renaming of ASU’s football stadium, saying it will now be called “Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils.”
Thursday’s game represents its first with that name (although many insist they will still call it Sun Devil Stadium).
Pregame reading for Arizona State vs. Southern Utah Week 1 college football game
Arizona state Sen. T.J. Shope calls for ABOR investigation into ASU’s Ray Anderson
Why Arizona State football’s season opener means more to the program than before
Herm Edwards slammed for hypocritical comments after Arizona State football’s bowl ban
Arizona State’s Ray Anderson, Michael Crow face backlash after college football bowl ban
Pac-12 football power rankings: Conference has chance to make early statement in Week 1
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/64EODMS56ZOOXM72IFPMODMIU4.jpg){kind=small}